Crow's Feet Podcast: Recent Episodes
Crow's Feet
Getting older is not for the faint-hearted, but aging also brings wisdom and humor, a finely-tuned perspective on life. In the Crow's Feet podcast, you’ll hear the voices of writers who will inspire you and often make you laugh about this journey through life.
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Meet Elaine Soloway, whose gift to herself on her 80th birthday was a tattoo! Soloway, the author of three books, The Division Street Princess, She’s Not The Type, and Green Nails and Other Acts of Rebellion: Life After Loss, and her Substack, Escapades, is also a bit of a rebel. “I live my life out loud,” Soloway says, having penned “10 Ways to Be A Rebel After 87” with advice such as “count your blessings,” “get comfortable with technology,” “be honest,” “be curious,” and “never say it’s too late for me.” The real-life inspiration for the award-winning Amazon show “Transparent,” Soloway will share stories from her life and how to start your own “rebellion” while living life to its fullest.
Link to Elaine Soloway on Substack
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Vacation season is in full swing! Enjoy the adventures of author/Crow’s Feet contributor Orrin Onken as he braves the Costa Rican rainforest to seek out waterfalls, lush flora, fabulous wildlife ... and a nice place to sit down.
For more of Orrin Onken’s writing on Medium, go here.
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We all have dreams in our lives. Some are realized quickly, and some (alas) don’t happen. Then there are ones that just take a bit longer — and a lot of work — to come to fruition. For Jan M. Flynn, her dream of publishing a novel with a major company (Disney-Hyperion) has at last come true. Griffin Speaker, the first book in a middle-grade fantasy series, was released in early May and is delighting readers with its story of a brave young heroine who develops a bond with a powerful griffin and seizes a chance to change her destiny in an unfair world. Join us as host Betsy Allen talks with Jan about building an entire fantasy world, how she approaches writing for young readers, and what happens in the real world after a book is published. As Jan’s experience proves, it’s never too late to set goals and make your dreams come true.
Links to Griffin Speaker and other work by Jan M. Flynn:
Amazon/Griffin Speaker
Bookshop/Griffin Speaker
Jan M. Flynn author site
Jan M. Flynn on Medium
Jan M. Flynn on Substack
Social media:
Instagram: @jan_m_flynn
TikTok: @janmflynn
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In this episode of Crow’s Feet, Melinda Blau sits down with Kathryn Grody—Obie-winning actor, writer, and creator of the hit solo show “The Unexpected Third”—for a funny, deeply human conversation about what it really means to grow older, not “old.” From being dismissed as “just staying home having fun” as a young mother to becoming an almost-80-year-old “overnight sensation,” Kathryn shares how she’s rewriting the story of aging onstage and off.
Melinda and Kathryn talk candidly about long-term love and surviving two separations from her husband, legendary actor Mandy Patinkin, the friendships that carried her through, and why she finally became serious about strength training in her 70s. Along the way, Kathryn reflects on cultural ageism, younger women’s fear of running out of time, and the surprising joy of reaching this “unexpected third act” with humor, gratitude, and curiosity.
Listen to “Having the Spiritual Grace to Accept the Unacceptable,” a 7-minute excerpt of this interview, in which Kathryn talks about the devastating loss of her brother Yukon, a Buddhist monk.
Kathryn is bringing “The Unexpected Third” to the George Street Playhouse in Brunswick, New Jersey, October 13-November 1.
Tune in to Kathryn’s award-winning podcast, “Don’t Listen to Us,” which also features Mandy, and their son Gideon.
Music in this episode includes Capernell by Blue Dot Sessions.
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Heartfelt expressions from two Crows Feet writers, both of them Dads, on the occasion of Fathers Day. Poignant reminders to relish the past, savor the present and prepare to pass the torch on to new generations.
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Daryl Roth isn’t just a Broadway Producer: She’s a force to be reckoned with. She produced her first play when she was in her 40s with no previous producing experience and has since produced over 120 Broadway and Off-Broadway plays and musicals, including August Osage County, Proof, Wit, The Normal Heart, Sunset Boulevard, A Raisin in the Sun, The Year of Magical Thinking, and Kinky Boots. Her productions have won 13 Tony Awards and eight Pulitzer Prizes.
Daryl's latest was a Tony for Liberation, awarded Best Play of 2026.
In this episode of the Crow’s Feet: Life As We Age podcast, Roth pulls back the curtain about her role as a Broadway Producer, how she selects the plays she wants to produce (Spoiler alert: it’s not all about commercial success!), risk taking, aging and why the word “regret” has no place in her vocabulary. Hosted by Nancy Franklin.
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This special Crow’s Feet Extra is an except from our interview with acclaimed writer and actor Kathryn Grody. Now 79, Kathryn is also a social media influencer, thanks to the wildly popular Instagram account she shares with her husband, Mandy Patinkin, and their son Gideon. Here, Kathryn offers an intimate reflection on the death of her younger brother, Yukon. With warmth, candor, and emotional honesty, she explores the complicated terrain of grief, memory, and sibling love.
This is part of a longer Crow’s Feet: Life As We Age conversation between Kathryn and Melinda Blau. The full episode premieres June 24.
Kathryn is currently performing her acclaimed one-woman show, The Unexpected Third, in New York City through June 14 at the New York Theatre Workshop.
To read more about Kathryn’s brother's life, here is the link to his obituary: Senior Monastic Yukon Grody 5/15/49 – 2/28/24 | Mountain Record
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Our episode today is on AI, focused on how the senior community can best take advantage of it. The good news is that AI is here and available to everybody. The better news is that AI is improving daily. Thus, by the time you listen to this episode, there have been more improvements in how AI responds to questions, prompts, and user-input challenges.
Our episode is an interview with an AI Language Model.
Although my preference is to communicate via keyboard text, I made a concession and figured out how to have a verbal conversation and record it.
When it comes to how you personally use AI, my advice is to trust the response for simple questions. But for more complex questions, question the response and validate it against multiple websites. While AI continues to improve, there are times when it needs to be supervised or corrected.
It is a myth that AI is correct 100 percent of the time. But compared to three years ago, the mistakes are getting reduced daily.
I recently spent over 14 months working with multiple top 10 technology companies on their AI initiatives. The experience provided a deep understanding of how AI works, what can be trusted, and what needs to be questioned. From the day the project started to the day it ended, there was a substantial amount of improvement in its accuracy.
There are plenty of resources available to guide you in AI's use. But the greatest guide in using AI is the AI model itself. Ask it and the program will help you. And that's pretty cool.
Produced by Lee Bentch, a career technologist, podcaster, and writer.
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Is it possible to “breathe one’s last” without regrets, big or small?
Best-selling author and behavioral change expert Karen Salmansohn thinks so. Her latest book, Your To Die for Life: How to maximize joy and minimize regret before your time runs out, offers some ideas and protocols that just might do the trick.
Join podcast host Jane Trombley and Karen as they discuss the book’s key message: the importance of Core Values as an antidote to late-in-life or even deathbed regrets.
How did Karen uncover the core values? By identifying some key regrets and reverse-engineering them into strategies to help avoid the most common, our hustle, hustle lifestyle
“A lot of people work too hard,” said Karen. “We worship productivity.” But there’s a cost.
“At your funeral, nobody’s going to get up and read your LinkedIn profile,” Karen continued. “You won’t be remembered for the work to attain status, or outward success. It will be the stories where you showed your Core Values - how you treated people, how you listened, and your kindness.”
That’s how we all want to be remembered
Show Notes
Links:
yourtodieforlife.com
Substack: standupphilosoper@substack.com
Karen's Books on Amazon:
Your To Die For Life
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
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Author/Crow’s Feet contributor Conni Walkup shares her poignant essay about
cherishing — and losing — our lifelong relationships. Have you been meaning to call that old friend or family member? Conni reminds us to seize the day.
For more from Conni on Medium (under the byline Conni Walkup Hull), go here.
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In her 76 years, Jean Feldeisen’s done so many different things so well, it’s almost hard to imagine: philosophy student, social worker, virtuoso pianist, first-class cook and caterer, psychotherapist, writer, and now, poet. She’s also seen her share of triumph and tragedy, good times and bad. In her latest book of poetry, South Jersey Sand, Jean’s work spans generations, a vast range of emotions, and miles of Jersey shoreline, reflecting on family history, the poignancy of childhood memories, the beauty of the natural world, the profound (and sometimes, heart-breaking) relationships in her life, and much more. Join host Betsy Allen as she talks to Jean about making meaning from her rich life through her poetry. And if you’re feeling inspired by her work, Jean offers some advice on how you can get started “putting yourself out there” with poems of your own.
Show Notes
You can order Jean’s books here:
South Jersey Sand: A Memoir in Poetry
From Kelsay Books:
From Amazon:
From Amazon on Kindle:
Not All Are Weeping
From The Main Street Rag Online Bookstore
Catching Fireflies by Argy Nestor and Jean Feldeisen, a collaboration of art and poetry. Contact Jean at empowermepeople@gmail.com to order.
You can also learn more about Jean and read her writing here:
Visit Jean’s website: https://jeanfeldeisen.com/
On Medium: Jean Anne Feldeisen
On Substack: jeananne.substack.com
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Join host Jan M. Flynn in conversation with journalist Randall H. Duckett, author of Chronic Pain Chronicles: insightful and inspiring stories of resolve, resilience, and relief, a book that offers realistic hope and help to the hundreds of millions of people worldwide who endure long-lasting hurt — and who, far too often, also endure delays, obstacles, and stigma in getting their very real pain addressed.
Randall H. Duckett bio: Randall H. Duckett is a journalist who has created, written for, and edited scores of magazines and who has authored articles for, among others,National Geographic Traveler, USA Today, and AARP: The Magazine. In addition to Chronic Pain Chronicles, he is the author of Seven Cs: The Elements of Effective Writing;41 How-To Tips for Creators.
Diagnosed at age 6 with a severe form of an inherited disease that causes his bones and joints to deform, leading to osteoarthritis throughout his body, Randall is also intimately familiar with chronic pain. He has undergone eight joint replacements, including both hips twice, both shoulders, and both knees, and has had both his ankles fused. He is never one to minimize the toll that long-lasting pain can take on the body and the psyche; yet he lives a productive and engaged life with his wife and family in the Philadelphia area.
Show notes:
Purchase Chronic Pain Chronicles on Amazon in any of these formats:
Paperback Edition
Hardback Edition
Kindle Edition
Resources (excerpted from "Sources of Solace" notes in Chronic Pain Chronicles):
U.S. Pain Foundation: uspainfoundation.org or painconnection.org
Chronic Pain Anonymous (CPA): chronicpainanonymous.org
American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA): acpanow.com
See other resources listed in "Sources of Solace" in Chronic Pain Chronicles
Watch for host Jan M. Flynn's first-in-a-series fantasy novel for readers 8 and up, Griffin Speaker, releasing May 5, 2026 from Disney-Hyperion Books and available for preorder now.
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Is this another day of just not giving a you-know-what? Getting older can zap your zest for life, as dopamine — your "Whoo-Hoo!" brain chemical — diminishes over time. In this episode, health and fitness writer Linda Melone gives you ten ways to get your mojo back (most without breaking a sweat).
For more energizing ideas about fitness and life, check out Linda's column on Crow's Feet.
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The 6 Pak Band is a seven‑piece, high‑energy, all‑female rock and roll group bringing the best hits from the ’60s, ’70s, and beyond to life. Their mission is simple: keep the crowd dancing, singing, and smiling from the first note to the last.
Originally formed in 1967, the band reunited thirteen years ago, blending original members with a few new faces. They’ve been rocking Western Michigan ever since. With a loyal fan base known as “The Returnables,” along with a steady stream of new followers, The 6 Pak fills every show with nostalgia, fun, and infectious energy that keeps audiences coming back.
The band was voted #2 in the 2025 Best Bands in Grand Rapids by Grand Rapids Magazine. And this year, they reached a major milestone with a performance at Michigan’s Gun Lake Casino and continue expanding their reach to larger venues and bigger crowds. Their momentum even caught national attention when NBC’s America’s Got Talent discovered them on YouTube, where one of their videos surpassed 3 million views.
For booking and pricing information, contact Cindy at cindythe6pak@gmail.com.
Additional Information regarding the band can be found at the following web links:
The 6 Pak - All Girl Band - YouTube
The 6 Pak Band
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Here's Eric V. Martin reminiscing about his not-so-good old days in Little League, yet with a fondness that's grown over the years. If you'd like to read along, click the link to Eric's story on Medium's Crows Feet channel.
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June Squibb has been performing for more than six decades—and shows no signs of slowing down. In this conversation with Melinda Blau, she reflects on late-life success, her approach to acting, and what still surprises her about aging. Squibb also talks about her 40-year marriage to her late husband and shares news of upcoming projects.
Producer/Host Melinda Blau
Website/blog
On Medium
On Amazon
Melinda Blau’s 16th book, “The Wisdom Whisperers: Golden Guides to a Long Life of Grit, Grace, and Laughter”, is about women in their 90s and 100s – like June – who give us hope about aging.
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Mariann Aalda is an American actress, a performance artist, a stand-up comedian, and an age-full evangelist. You may know her from old ABC soap operas like Edge of Night or, from street theater in New York City, from shows like Designing Women or The Bay, or a host of commercials. Mariann is a 50 year member of the Actors’ Guild and has not only witnessed but been an important voice in the transformation of the acting industry for black actors. She has studied and practiced hypnosis and respects the power of your words to influence your life. Now she styles herself an Agefull Evangelist and an Anti-Aging Activist.
Mariann’s website: mariannaaldainherprime.com
Where do you know her from?Check her IMDB page.
Links to her activities
Mariann on TEDx
Her Age Disruptor column at Crunchytales.com
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A Crows Feet Life As We Age Extra featuring Patricia Ross (87, psychotherapist, still working and author of "From There to Here: An Alphabet Memoir" and "From Here to Beyond.”) Here’s Patricia reading her Crows Feet article “Why Shame?” or the embarrassment of looking old.
And a link to the story in case you’d like to read along with her narration.
Hear Patricia Ross's story of how resilience, curiosity and good choices led to an "exuberant geezerhood" in this earlier episode of Crows Feet Life As We Age.
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Right in time for Valentine's Day gift-giving, The Turquoise Butterfly is Dr. Atkins' sensitive, heartwarming portrayal of the role a grandparent can play in a young one's life — from helping them overcome anxiety to facing loss, while transforming into the version of themselves they dream of becoming. It's a great opportunity to share by reading aloud to any young child with whom you have a close relationship.
Dale Atkins bio: (cribbed from her website)
Based in New York City, Dale Atkins is a licensed psychologist with more than 40 years as a relationship expert focusing on families, wellness, managing stress, and living a balanced, meaningful life. Author of seven books and many chapters, articles, and journals for popular and professional audiences, Dale is a featured speaker who lectures and leads seminars worldwide. Dale has appeared regularly on NBC’s TODAY and CNN, including her recent interview on TODAY featuring her new book The Turquoise Butterfly. Dale has a private psychology practice in New York City and has been a member of, and advisor to several nonprofit boards, including Jumpstart for Young Children, from which she recently retired after serving twenty-two years, since its founding. She has two children and six grandchildren, and lives in Connecticut.
Show notes & Links:
Dr. Dale Atkins, website: https://www.drdaleatkins.com/
Purchase The Turquoise Butterfly at your favorite bookseller, online at Mascot Books or on Amazon
Watch Dr. Atkins' recent TODAY show interview here.
Watch for host Jan M. Flynn's first-in-a-series fantasy novel for readers 8 and up, Griffin Speaker, releasing May 5, 2026 from Disney-Hyperion Books and available for preorder now.
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After more than 20 surgeries for skin cancer, avid sailor and Wall Street Journal reporter John Koten had had enough. There had to be something he could do to start taking better care of his skin. That started John’s “Great Skincare Experiment.”
Under the direction of a dermatologist, John went on a six-month journey, experimenting with top-rated skincare products and interviewing experts in the field to find out what works and what doesn’t on his skin. In this conversation with Nancy Franklin, John offers the scientific and personal advice he learned to help men and women care for aging skin.
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“Gender was to the 20th century what age will be to the 21st: a massive demographic and societal shift that changes… everything.” – Avivah Wittenberg-Cox
In this episode, international thought leader, author, speaker, corporate consultant, and life coach Avivah Wittenberg-Cox reveals the importance of “rebranding” aging: How demographic shifts, the rise of older adults, and an aging workforce have brought us to this unprecedented time in history. In conversation with, Melinda Blau, Avivah proposes a “four-quarter life” framework to help us rethink ageist assumptions. She details the task of each approximately 25 years: growing (Q1), achieving (Q2), becoming (Q3), and harvesting (Q4). As we navigate these territories and encounter new terrain, each of us must become a “skilled transitionist,” which involves using our brains, seeking love and connection in all forms, weathering change, and learning how to make good choices. An advocate of lifelong learning and intergenerational support, Avivah attended Harvard’s Advanced Leadership Initiative (ALI) to spur her own Q3 journey and has since investigated a range of midlife transition programs. Here she tells how they broaden our horizons and can help us transition into new chapters.
For more:
Read Avivah’s Elderberries newsletter on Substack, learn more about Avivah’s history and innovative projects on her website, and listen to her “4-Quarter Lives Podcast here.
Interested in the midlife educational programs Avivah talks about in this episode? Check out Series (Season) 10 of her podcast, beginning on September 24, 2025 with an exploration of Harvard’s ALI program.
And here’s a sampling of Avivah’s writing on lifelong learning:
“Higher Ed Meets Longevity: The Global Rise Of Midlife Education: Feeling Like Learning Something New?” Elderberries, January 26, 2026
“Old School: Midlife Transition Programs Take Off,” Forbes, September 28, 2022·
For more on Melinda Blau’s work, Avivah interviews her in “Learning From Our Elders,” on Season 9 of her 4-Quarter Lives podcast, June 18, 2025.
The book that inspired Avivah to call Melinda her "old lady” is on Amazon or wherever you buy books: The Wisdom Whisperers: Golden Guides to a Long Life of Grit, Grace, and Laughter.
The Crows Feet original theme music was composed and performed by Rand Bishop. Music in this episode includes a selection by Sonican from pixabay.com
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See if your New Year resolutions and reflections are in sync with your friends at Crows Feet in this special bonus episode. And with it, our best wishes for brighter days and new adventures ahead.
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“Part of what I found were cultural norms that view the second half of life as being as important and even more important than the first half of life, in terms of what you can do for yourself and for society,“ said Ken Stern, in conversation with host Jane Trombley.
Ken, author of Healthy to 100: How Strong Ties Lead to Long Lives (link in notes, below) explored the “culture of longevity” in Asia — Singapore, Korea, and Japan — as well as communities in Spain and Italy.
An expression of those cultural norms, he noted, was found in Singapore, where “they view social connection and social health as being critical parts of public health,” with an emphasis on multigenerational housing predicated on the importance of family ties.
In Korea, he explored the cultural importance of lifelong learning, codified in the national constitution in 1990. In Japan, Ken found the creation of “ essentially a second work culture for older workers that's much less about prestige, and more about finding work that brings you into contact with other people.”
Ken is a gifted storyteller, bringing each region to life in the context of what contributes to healthy and engaged aging — social connections built around housing, employment, lifelong learning, and a rich community life.
Links:
Ken’s most recent book:
Healthy to 100: How Strong Social Ties Lead to Long Lives
“I’m 62. Stop Telling Me I’m Old” by Ken Stern
New York Times, Opinion Nov. 27, 2025
The Longevity Project
Ken Stern, Founder and Chair
Stanford Center on Longevity
Stanford University
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Crime Reporter Michael Wilson of The New York Times joins us to share how he narrowly avoided losing thousands of dollars to an online scam. Seniors over 60 are targeted more often than any other age group, making his story both timely and essential. In this episode, Michael explains the red flags he spotted, how scams are evolving, and what you can do to protect yourself. A must‑listen for anyone navigating today’s digital world.
Michael’s journalistic insight, combined with his firsthand brush with deception, makes this conversation both eye-opening and empowering.
This episode is designed to inform and reassure that awareness is the most vigorous defense. Whether you’ve encountered suspicious emails, phone calls, or online offers, this will help you spot the red flags and stay one step ahead. Tune in for a candid discussion that blends real-world reporting with practical guidance.
Here are some informative links
Michael Wilson’s article “I’ve Written About Loads of Scams. This One Almost Got Me” was published on September 18, 2025. You can read it directly on the NYT site here: New York Times – Michael Wilson on nearly being scammed.
Here’s the link to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, which is where you can file a complaint if you’ve been scammed. Plus, there is a lot of resource information available on the site: Home Page - Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
And here’s the guest link to a story I posted a few years ago on Internet Scams: https://medium.com/crows-feet/seniors-what-you-dont-know-about-cybersecurity-will-scare-the-crap-out-of-you-dc34944d1f90?sk=6f6915b32a2f9dcd4fd8b241a4259111
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We’re coming upon the season of giving — the period when Americans’ generosity pours forth. According to Charity Engine, about one-third of the $590 billion given to charity each year occurs in December.
In this episode, Crows Feet explores an innovative charitable giving platform, Giving Multiplier.
It combines heartfelt, personal donations with making it far easier to have an impact on some of the world’s most pressing issues: global health and poverty, animal welfare, and climate change.
The Giving Multiplier concept of “bundling donations” emerged from charitable giving research at Harvard University by Dr. Joshua Greene and Dr. Lucius Caviola. They found people were incentivized to give when they could combine their personal interests with global concerns.
Giving Multiplier adds to your gifts to both the local and global charities by up to 25% (30% for Crow’s Feet listeners), depending on the allocation.
Listen to this interactive episode, then return to it on your laptop to follow along with the tutorial. It can be found at 8 minutes in.
Links and further information:
www.givingmultiplier.org/CROW
For more information about Dr. Joshua Greene and Dr. Lucius Caviola
If you’d like to inquire about supporting Giving Multiplier, please contact Matt Coleman, at matt@givingmultiplier.org
And check out the insightful daily perspective by Crows Feet writers at www.crowsfeetlifeasweage.com.
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Rear Admiral Sandy Adams, USN, Ret., served 34 years in the U.S. Navy, leading both active duty and reserve units across global theaters. She commanded five Navy Reserve units, deployed to Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm, and advised Afghan defense leaders during Operation Enduring Freedom. Her final role was Deputy Commander of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, overseeing 19,000 personnel. As a reservist, Adams also held various senior civilian roles in defense contracting and supply chain management.
Adams earned a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, a Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, and graduated from the Joint Forces Staff College.
Retired from the military, Adams is currently active with the Daughters of the American Revolution, El Redondo, CA Chapter, The Military Women’s Memorial, and is a Member of the Chairman’s Flag Council for the Museum of the Surface Navy.
On our podcast, Admiral Adams shares her stories about the challenges of being a woman in the Navy, while also expressing her passion for all those currently on active duty and veterans.
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Try looking at any familiar object — say, a chair — and then drawing it freehand. Now, turn the chair sideways and draw it again. Chances are the second drawing, once you turn it right side up again, is fresher and more accurate. It's free of the baked-in assumptions you have about the whole concept of "chair."
What if we could do the same thing with aging? That creative exercise is the exact one that prompted the title of social gerontologist and journalist Jeanette Leardi's book Aging Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives On Getting Older.
Join host Jan M. Flynn in conversation with Jeanette Leardi, and come away with a refreshed outlook on living our elder years with purpose, vitality, and joy.
Jeanette Leardi bio: Jeanette Leardi is the author of the book Ageing Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives On Getting Older.She is a social gerontologist, community educator, writer, editor, public speaker, and aging wellness leader with a passion for older adult empowerment. She finds personal fulfillment helping Boomers and older generations identify and share their wisdom with others.
As a journalist she's worked with Newsweek, Life, People, Condé Nast Traveler, Sesame Workshop and The Charlotte Observer, as well as Next Avenue and 3rd Act Magazines. She holds presentations and classes on ageing-related topics, and has been a guest on numerous podcasts.
Links:
Jeanette's website: jeanetteleardi.com
Buy her book, Ageing Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives On Getting Older
This episode includes Music by Juan Sanchez from Pixabay
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“Make some plans and live!” say the ‘traveling nanas,’ viral sensations Ellie Hamby, an international documentary photographer, and Dr. Sandy Hazelip, a geriatrician. The two met 25 years ago, becoming fast friends and intrepid travelers. On this edition of the Crow’s Feet: Life As We Age podcast, Hazelip and Hamby discuss their re-creation of Philieas Fogg’s Around the World in 80 Days journey--in their 80s--while sharing tips on traveling, their philosophies on friendship, life, and living fearlessly, as well their new book, Here We Go, a guide to getting out of your comfort zone, seeing the world and making a difference. Hosted by Nancy Franklin.
The Nanas book, Here We Go
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In this eye-opening episode of Crow's Feet, journalist and thought leader Carl Honoré explores the complex world of status—how it shapes our lives, changes as we age, and can be reimagined for greater meaning. Drawing from his 5-part BBC series and personal experiences, Carl reveals how status is not just about professional achievements, but about human connection, community, and personal growth. Key insights include: Why status is fundamentally about respect given, not taken
- How social media has transformed our understanding of personal worth
- The importance of finding status beyond workplace achievements
- Strategies for maintaining dignity and influence as we age.
Carl challenges listeners to look beyond traditional status markers and embrace a more holistic, compassionate view of personal value—one that celebrates contribution, wisdom, and human connection.
For more information about Carl Honoré and his work, check out his website, where you'll find links to his books, podcasts, and videos.
And check out the insightful daily perspective by Crows Feet writers at www.crowsfeetlifeasweage.com.
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Betsy Allen talks with Carol Shamon about her divorce, the challenges she faced, what surprised her in good and not-so-good ways, and finding love again.
To read more from Carol, visit the following links:
On Substack:
https://carolshamon.substack.com/
On Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/carol_shamon/
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With the rate of divorce happening faster than it is for any other demographic, an increasing number of adults over 50 are navigating the uncharted waters of singlehood. It can be a challenging ride as they adjust after a so-called “Gray Divorce.” For some, it’s a rough journey. Others cruise toward a new era of self-discovery and reinvention. But even under the best and most mutual of arrangements, it can be tough to keep things on an even keel.
Host Betsy Allen dissects the aftermath of Gray Divorce with clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, and author Dr. Judith Rabinor, including how to optimize chances for a positive way forward. You'll also hear from four older divorcees on the challenges they faced and the wisdom they gained from their experiences. This episode is the second of a two-part special on Gray Divorce presented by the Crow’s Feet: Life As We Age podcast. If you’d like to hear Part I (Split Decision: Busting the Gray Divorce), you can listen here.
For more information on Dr. Judith Rabinor, go to: judithruskayrabinorphd.com/
Book: Befriending Your Ex After Divorce: Making Life Better For You, Your Kids, and, Yes, Your Ex
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While overall divorce rates are falling, one group is bucking the trend. For those over 50, divorce rates have doubled or even tripled (depending on what source you consult) since the 1990s. So, when Crow’s Feet wants to know what’s causing the spike in divorces for older adults and how more couples might stay together, who are we gonna call? A divorce-buster, of course.
Relationship therapist, author, and educator Michele Weiner-Davis, author of the best-selling book Divorce Busting: A Step-by-Step Approach to Making Your Marriage Loving Again, joins host Betsy Allen to talk about the issues, both large and small, that tear relationships apart and how older couples can start to think differently, communicate better, and regain those loving feelings. Even if you’re not considering divorce, Michele has advice that can make any relationship stronger and more resilient.
If you’d like to read/hear more from Michele Weiner-Davis, visit the following links:
https://www.divorcebusting.com/
Book:Divorce Busting: A Step-by-Step Approach to Making Your Marriage Loving Again
TheMarriageIntensive.com
Book: Healing from Infidelity: Sanity-Saving, Expert Advice for Ending the Affair's Grip on Your Marriage NOW! (her new audiobook); Link to the ebook; Read the first chapter
Book: The Sex-Starved Marriage: Boosting Your Marriage Libido
Video: TEDx talk- The Sex-Starved Marriage
Video: The Walkaway Wife Syndrome
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Jean Anne Feldeisen hosts Dr. Kerry Burnight, a gerontologist, researcher and writer on a mission to “Make Older Better.” After decades of work with aging adults, and studying the things that go wrong in old age, including the ageism that hampers change, Kerry is determined to spend the rest of her career helping “fortify” people for old age. Or in her words, aging need not be “the downhill slide that people believe it is." Her recently released book, Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half. is based on decades-long research:
Join Jean Anne, a retired social worker, as she and Kerry discuss how older adults can take specific actions to fortify ourselves against the inevitable problems, while creating a more joyous life as we age.
Kerry’s website: https://drkerryburnight.com/
On Instagram: @the_gerontologist
Kerry’s book, Joy Span, is now available online and wherever books are sold.
Quote from the book:
“What struck me most was the radical differences in how people experienced their own aging process.
For some, it is a frustrating, degrading, painful trajectory of ever-increasing decline. For others, there is visible delight, spirituality, and joy in occupying their eighth, ninth, and tenth decades.”
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Employment to age 65 used to be a given. If not a career run at the same company, non-profit, or government agency, a worker armed with a skillset and expertise honed over decades could be reasonably assured that the acquired knowledge remained marketable.
Recently, that assumption has been turned on its head, especially in the technology sector. But there is also opportunity.
Here are three stories about being laid off at 55+ and finding the “what’s next.”
- Krista was a 25-year veteran in software management at a major healthcare insurance company. She was months away from eligibility for Medicare when her job was suddenly sent to India. Her “what’s next” was a scramble for short-term health coverage.
- Mike was trained in User Experience (UX), attaining a master’s degree in the field in 2004. After 18 years, he was laid off in his late 50s. His “what’s next”? Broaden his skill set, strategically update his resume, and pledge loyalty as he seeks his next employer.
- Lee, at 71, brings a long history of career adaptation. He transitioned from sales to technical research and writing in his late 60s; he now works in AI content curation for a Global Top 10 tech corporation.
Link Mike’s Medium article:
https://medium.com/crows-feet/i-may-never-find-a-full-time-job-again-one-year-update-e73fbc51af3f
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At 68, Lee Bentch doesn’t fit the stereotype. He’s still working, and after his day job, he cooks dinner for his five grandchildren and daughter. Lee is one of more than a million grandparents helping to raise their grandkids, and he’s also a Crow’s Feet writer. In this episode he tells us how he manages to plan and cook healthy meals seven days a week. Lee is interviewed by Jean Feldeisen, another Crow’s Feet writer, therapist and grandmother. Join her as she discovers how the multigeneration household enriches Lee’s life, and how the grandchildren’s presence, filled with love and caring, extended his wife’s life.
This episode originally aired June 15, 2022.
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What if we're not stuck living with weakening bones and painful knees or hips as we age? Join host Jan M. Flynn in conversation with Dr. Alan Beyer, the Executive Medical Director of Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Newport Beach CA and host of radio show "Doctors in the Dugout" as he talks about heading off osteoporosis, what to do if joint pain starts limiting your life, and his journey through his own hip replacement.
Show links:
Dr. Alan Beyer “On the Other Side of the Scalpel” video blog
Or watch on YouTube
Hoag Orthopedic Institute, home page
Alan H. Beyer, M.D., Hoag Orthopedic Institute
Doctor in the Dugout Radio Show (AM 830)
Music on this episode includes Weathervane and Chafftop by Blue Dot Sessions.
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Fear of anger can ultimately be as destructive as expressed rage. However, Amanda Barusch argues that it's time for older adults to turn toward anger rather than denying or avoiding it. By taking it seriously, people can neutralize its destructive potential and harness its energy for personal and social change.
Join host Lee Bentch with Amanda Barusch for this entertaining and informative dive into harnessing the energy of anger for the better good. Amanda has done an extraordinary amount of research on the topic, recently releasing a book titledAging Angry: Making Peace with Rage.
Amanda is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Otago, New Zealand, and the University of Utah. She has served as Editor in Chief for the Journal of Gerontological Social Work and Deputy Editor for the Australasian Journal on Aging.
Comments? Suggestions? Call our toll-free Crows Feet Feedback line at 800-222-2216.
Help Build a Positive View of Aging by Supporting Our Non-Profit Work.
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The Generation X folks are no longer kids. They were born between 1965 and 2000, are now 44-59, and the oldest will soon enter their sixties.
They have stepped into leadership roles across sectors, bringing their life experiences and perspectives to shape the future.
Sari Botton is on the leading edge of that age cohort; she'll turn 60 next year. Besides publishing the engaging Oldster Magazine on Substack, she’s an established essayist, editor of best-selling anthologies, and educator.
In this episode, Sari Botton offers a unique and thoughtful perspective on Gen X aging, a topic that has fascinated her throughout her life.
Host Jane Trombley and Sari explore the concerns of Gen X aging into a world qualitatively and quantitatively different from the one Boomers experienced—concerns about climate change, economic and job uncertainties, and the stability of Social Security. All this against the backdrop of conventional worries about moving into the next chapter of life.
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Websites:
Oldster Magazine
saribotton.com
Music on this episode includes instrumental by nojisuma from Pixabay
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Elaine LaLanne, widow of "Father of Fitness," Jack LaLanne, leads an audience of hundreds in breaking a Guinness World Record at the age of 98. After catching her breath, Elaine shares her new thoughts on aging.
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With a new book about the women who inspire her to live a full life, NY Times best-selling author Melinda Blau talks with host Nancy Peckenham about unique women who come to life on the pages of The Wisdom Whisperers. She also introduces us to two of these women by reading passages from her newly-released book.
Author Kathleen Murphy, an essay writer from Utah, then reads her story about how she overcame fear of aging by making a list of her fears, then poking holes in each of them.
The episode ends with a reading by Mark Tulin, a writer and poet, who shares his contentment with life in his late 60s and his firm belief that he never wants to be young again.
You can order The Wisdom Whisperers on Amazon and learn more about Melinda at her website www.melindablau.com
Read more of Kathleen Murphy’s work on Medium by visiting her profile page here.
Mark Tulin’s writing is published on Medium as well. Visit his profile page here.
And check out more great essays about the latter half of life at Medium.com/crows-feet or visit www.crowsfeetlifeasweage.com.
Music in this episode includes Palms Down from Blue Dot Sessions, ceton from Pixabay, and Roman Senyk from Pixabay.
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Low mood is a common symptom for older adults, often a response to pain, loss, or changes in their lives. But Dr. Lee Penn, a Geropsychologist, college prof, and author, brings a hopeful message. That because of decades of experience, refined self-knowledge, and carefully honed problem solving skills, older adults can learn to manage their moods and greatly improve their quality of life. In this episode, host Jean Feldeisen, also a psychotherapist, talks with Dr. Penn about his work with older patients, including advice for them and their families.
Dr. Penn has written The Golden Rules of Retirement and The Golden Rules of Life Satisfaction, to help people take practical steps to feel better. You’ll find them at Amazon.com. To learn more about his research in Geropsychology, go to his website: lifecanbegolden.com.
Music includes The Green Room by Blue Dot Sessions.
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Here's a companion piece to our latest episode featuring a kidney donor in her fifties and a two-time kidney recipient. Crow's Feet writer Ann Litts had a long career as a nurse taking care of transplant patients, and saw her own daughter through a transplant. Nobody knows better the marvel of giving and getting the gift of life.
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Kidney disease is a silent killer that affects more people than breast and prostate cancer. While fatal for many, others turn to kidney dialysis, offering a means to sustain life but with a few risks. Beyond dialysis, the best hope is a kidney transplant, which restores life without the burden of dialysis. In this episode, host Lee Bentch sits down with Carol Offin, a kidney donor in her fifties, and Betsy Crais, a multi-organ transplant recipient. Their book, The Insider’s Guide to Living Kidney Donation, is a must-read for both kidney donors and recipients about giving or getting the greatest gift.
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A fitting quest for Pride Month, Esther Newton's personal and professional struggles mirror sixty years of LGBTQ+ history.
In the mid-1950s, catapulted out of a liberal household in New York to a rigidly-gendered southern California high school where girls were frilly and feminine, Esther was, in her own words, “a failure as a girl.” She knew she was different—a “homosexual,” as such deviants were then called. Alone as a teenager, fearing she had no chance at a normal life, Esther found comfort in Margaret Mead's Coming of Age in Samoa. “It showed me the culture of the 50s and 60s was just one among thousands and thousands.”
Like Mead, Esther earned her PhD in cultural anthropology. She dared to observe and write her dissertation on drag queens, a culture much closer to home. She wrote scholarly papers on “stone butches,” and how they had sex. She outed herself and became more of an activist in her collection of essays, Margaret Mead Made Me Gay. It was “career suicide,” she says of her early work in the field, but Esther seems to have the last word in her memoir, My Butch Career, and on screen, in the 2022 documentary, Esther Newton Made Me Gay. Today, a new generation looks up to her for her courage and foresight.
You can view the trailer for Esther Newton Made Me Gay on her website as well as links to her writing: https://www.Esther-Newton.com . Crow's Feet is grateful to Jean Carlomusto, director of Esther Newton Made Me Gay, and Women Make Movies, the distributor of the film, for allowing us to use excerpts. Access the full documentary via Kanopy, if your local library subscribes, or by contacting the distributor: orders@wmn.com
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Forget the necktie and the tool box. Our gift to you this Father’s Day is a book…The Book of Dads, to be exact.
Here you’ll find a collection of stories from Crow’s Feet writers that pays tribute to the men who played vitally important roles in their lives.
In the “chapters” of this book, there’s a wealth of vivid memories. Some of these are happy. Some are sad. Others serve to remind us that while a parent might have loomed larger than life in one’s childhood, they might also have exhibited some very human foibles.
Betsy Allen and Rand Bishop recall the special ways they found a connection with their fathers in ways both large and small. Bruce Stambaugh, Daniella Mini, Alex Jordan, and Mary McGrath reminisce how, over the years since their youth, they came to understand their dads better—and appreciate them. And finally, Jerry Dunn, Ilana Rabinowitz, and Jane Trombley share the influences their fathers had on them and recognize the lasting legacies they left behind.
So pull up a chair, relax, and let us tell you some stories about our dads.
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Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance dedicated to honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the service of our country. It is a time for all of us to reflect on the sacrifices made by these brave individuals and to show gratitude for their unwavering commitment to protecting our freedoms.
Join Lee Bentch as he speaks with Barabara Kautz, a Vietnam War veteran who served with the 24th Evacuation Hospital at the Long Binh Army Post in 1969. Barabara’s thoughts, concerns, and the impact ongoing death had on her are very poignant and touching.
Memorial Day has become overshadowed by Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial beginning of summer vacation. Lee points out that there is nothing wrong with going to the beach, starting a vacation, or spending time at a picnic or amusement park, as long as Monday, May 27, is reserved for a few minutes of silence, tears, and thoughts for the 700,000 men and women who fought in the many wars that shaped our country and died doing so.
These are men and women who will Always be Remembered and Never Forgotten.
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Each of us has a unique narrative about our mothers. They can be positive,
negative, and everything in between.
In this episode, we delve into a diverse collection of these stories. From tales
of profound love to stories of absence, we explore the complex tapestry of
relationships with mothers.
Jean Feldeisen will speak about the deepening love between her and her
mom, while Ann Litts tells us about the mother who was taken too soon.
Soosie Campbell shares why she wanted to be very different from her mother,
and how she feels about her own children wanting to be different from her.
Jim Parton says he and his mom had an awkward relationship, and tells
how things changed later in life. Nancy Franklin also talks about how it took a
lifetime for her feelings about her mom to change.
Sometimes, people can be forced into having to make an impossible decision,
and Jan M. Flynn says this happened to her mom.
Ace talks about a woman’s grit and determination, while Karen Valentino
shares a daily habit she learned from her mother.
There's even a story about fried chicken, as Lee J. Bentch shares a life that
revolves around food.
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Grandma Moses started painting seriously at 78. Norman Maclean published his first novel, A River Runs Through It, at 74. Truly, it’s never too late to start painting, drawing, writing, making music, dancing—whatever inspires you. The creative payoffs can be huge. But it also presents challenges: you must be willing to learn and be a "beginner" again, take some risks, and be open to critique.
Canadian artist Janice Mason Steeves, herself a late bloomer, joins us to talk about her book, Bloom: On Becoming An Artist Later in Life. In it, she shares thoughts and observations from dozens of older artists who describe their creative journeys and explain how art has helped them find their voices, know themselves better, and become more enlightened.
Steeves also discusses the idea of “elderhood” – the idea that artists can use their enlightenment to make the world a stronger, kinder, more interconnected place. She manifests the concept of elderhood through her “Workshops in Wild Places” programs that allow her to take fellow artists to beautiful, remote locations around the world to connect to and be inspired by nature.
For more information on Janice Mason Steeves, her art, book, and workshops, visit www.janicemasonsteeves.com
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At 61, Lyn Slater, a seasoned social welfare professional and social work academic at Fordham University, combined her passions for clothing and writing by launching an Instagram blog in 2014. The Accidental Icon was born.
Modeling Valentino eyewear thrust her into the spotlight of the fashion industry, global notoriety, and unexpected opportunities. The Accidental Icon transformed into a social influencer with a million followers and became a brand in its own right.
In 2020, Lyn pivoted her blog away from fashion blogging and sponsored posts to writing about aging and advocating for pro-aging public policy. Her Stubstack newsletter gave rise to her first non-academic book, How To Grow Old, published in 2024.
Lyn Slater holds a Ph.D. in Social Welfare from The Graduate Center, City University of New York.
Links:
Amazon
Substack
Website
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Join host Jan M Flynn in conversation with Kira Reginato as they explore the issue of where it makes the most sense to live as we or our loved ones age and our needs change.
As an elder care manager and consultant, Kira has served hundreds of older adults and their families in a variety of settings: hospitals, residential care and skilled nursing facilities, hospices, Alzheimer’s adult day care programs and Meals on Wheels.
Kira's three decades of expertise, as well as her warm personality and compassion were enjoyed in two weekly radio shows focused on aging: The Elder Care Show and Call Kira About Aging!
Kira is the author of the book Tips for Helping Your Aging Parents...Without Losing Your Mind – click the link to purchase a copy.
For more information about Kira, visit her website at www.Callkira.com and check out her YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyO7atbCToRbKmnFI6EZGAg
Interested in finding a care manager for yourself or your family? Visit the national Aging Life Care organization at www.Aginglifecare.org
You can also book a phone or video consultation with Kira to discuss your needs and help connect you to a local care manager by clicking this link: "https://tinyurl.com/2p855cyx"
(Note: this information is provided as a potential resource but does not indicate an endorsement nor any other business relationship. Crow’s Feet: Life As We Age does not receive any financial consideration for providing this link).
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Meet Alicia Littman, the quintessential New Yorker, constantly reinventing herself and, at 82, star of her own one-woman cabaret show, "Senior Living." Alicia drove a taxi, designed clothing in her tiny Greenwich Village apartment, sold advertising for the New York Times and now sells high-end apartments in Manhattan. But her real love is theater. She attended a professional school for children, starred in every high school production, and snagged a featured role in a community theater production of The Pajama Game, singing and dancing the legendary “Steam Heat” number. Alicia never made it to Broadway, but even with a few replacement parts, she’s still a babe — sassy, smart, and not afraid to make fun of herself.
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Creating a vibrant, satisfying experience of aging sometimes means reinventing ourselves: taking on a new profession, pursuing a long-held dream, or remodeling our home, or ourselves, from the foundation on up. It can be really exciting – but also takes courage, and there isn’t a handy instruction guide for how to get started. So it’s inspiring and helpful to check in with people who have embarked on one or more reinventions and can attest to the risks and rewards.
Join host Jan M. Flynn in conversation with Crow’s Feet writer and podcast team member Jean Feldeisen, who never stopped starting over throughout a productive and creative life. From pursuing a doctorate in philosophy to running a catering business, to a long career as a psychotherapist, and recently transforming herself into a published poet, Jean approaches reinvention like she plays piano — in a spirit of exploration, fascination, and challenge.
She’s not afraid to start over. And when necessary, to go slower.
Jean Feldeisen (jeanfeldeisen.com) is the author of:
Not All Are Weeping, a poetry chapbook available through Main Street Rag
https://mainstreetragbookstore.com/product/not-all-are-weeping-jean-anne-feldeisen/
Dear Milly: A Love Story ‘Til the End of Time, the story of Jean’s parents and their love that survived and flourished through the Great Depression, World War II, and all the tumultuous times that followed. Dear Milly: a love story 'til the end of time'
Catching Fireflies with Argy Nestor is a “picture book for adults:” poems and imagery riffing on the seasons in Maine.* Available for $25 plus a $5 fee for shipping & handling Contact Jean at empowermepeople@gmail.com or Argy at meartsed@gmail.com. Let them know if you want your copy autographed.
Follow me at jeanfeldeisen.com. Email me at empowermepeople@gmail.com
Join the fun. To receive my bi-weekly email, click the link below.
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/BXZnupW
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Join psychologists and seasoned relationship experts Drs. Gloria Horsley and Frank Powers sharing insights from their new book Open to Love: The Secrets of Senior Dating. It’s a guide to stepping out into the bewildering and sometimes intimidating world of online dating. Host Jane Trombley explores with them the joys and trials of forging a committed relationship, including their own, in one’s older years.
Dr. Gloria Horsley, Ph.D. is a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical nurse specialist. She President and Co-founder of the Open to Hope Foundation, and a member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council.
Dr. Frank Powers, Ph.D. has been a licensed psychologist in private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona, for the last 30 years. He served as Chairman of the Psychiatric Security Review Board for the State of Arizona and is now an award-winning sculptor.
Gloria and Frank split their time between Palo Alto, California, and Scottsdale, Arizona.
Links:
Amazon
Good Reads
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Join host Jan M. Flynn in conversation with Dr. Greg Hampikian, founder of the Idaho Innocence Project and one of the leading forensic DNA experts in the U.S. A present-day Renaissance man, Dr. Hampikian is also a professor at Boise State University, an inventor, a NY Times contributing columnist, a playwright— and a fan of Crow’s Feet: Life As We Age! Listen as Dr. Hampikian lets his lively mind loose on wide-ranging topics — most notably, how his work informs his own aging, and what he finds so exciting about life in his 60s.
Bio & links:
Greg Hampikian, PhD is an American biologist and the founder and director of the Idaho Innocence Project. He is considered one of the foremost forensic DNA experts in the United States.
Dr. Hampikian lectures on DNA science generally as well as DNA in forensic evidence specifically nationwide. He is perhaps best knownfor his work on several exonerations both nationally and internationally, including his work on the Amanda Knox case.
He is currently a professor in the Departments of Biological Sciences and Criminal Justice at Boise State University.
He’s also a New York Times contributing columnist whose two most popular contributions to date have been "Men, Who Needs Them" and "When May I Shoot a Student?".
Dr. Hampikian has been inducted as a Charter Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. His inventions range from a magnetic shape memory alloy micro-pump to a forensic DNA labeling kit that prevents contamination of samples given to the police
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Dementia is one of the greatest fears of people today and a growing problem worldwide. Yet many people avoid talking or thinking about it. Cynthia Stone's new documentary, Keys Bags Names Words hopes "to shift that narrative of fear and hopelessness to one of hope and action." Using a quirky and inspiring lens, Keys Bags Names Words portrays both personal stories and the work of experts studying the disease to create an inspiring tribute to the human spirit. Join host Jean Feldeisen as she talks with producer Cynthia Stone, and Jill Harmon, one of the caregivers featured in the film, about making the documentary and the impact of its message on their own lives.
You can find more information about the film, including how to arrange for a showing in your community, at the film's website keysbagsnameswords.com
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The holidays mean more as you look back on a long life. So we asked our readers and listeners what they’re feeling — probably much the same as you, ranging from love to loneliness and stress to nostalgia. Listen as they share their thoughts with you, like an old friend by a cozy fireside.
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Aging into health is an idea that centerarian Dr. Gladys McGarey knows well. For more than six decades, "Dr. Gladys" has been a medical pioneer in the interconnectedness of her patients' physical, mental, and emotional health.
She’s board-certified in Holistic and Integrated Medicine and co-founder of both The American Holistic Medical Association and the Academy of Parapsychology and Medicine.
Become a supporter of the Crow's Feet Podcast.
Dr. Gladys recently published her 8th book, A Well-lived Life: A 102-Year-Old Doctor's Six Secrets To Health and Happiness at ANY Age. Join host Jane Trombley in exploring those secrets: the importance of finding one's “juice” and movement, defining boundaries, confronting the tough times we all go through, the power of love, and spending our energy wildly, even as we age.
Now at 103, Dr Gladys continues to lead an active life as a sought-after speaker and hosts a weekly Instagram Live program. Her book is available on Amazon or through her website.
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November is a time for gratitude and remembrance — and it's also National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. It's a topic often surrounded by confusion, especially since many of us find it difficult to talk about. But the more we know, the more we can help ourselves and our loved ones — and the less intimidating and scary it becomes. In this episode, you'll hear an interview with a leading hospice and palliative care expert, Dr. Glen Komatsu. Then join Crows Feet hosts Warren Turner and Jan M Flynn in a conversation about what it's been like for them as they've had family members in hospice care — and what those experiences have taught them.
SUPPORT OUR PODCAST HERE.
We'd greatly appreciate your support for our podcast! By clicking on the link provided, you can help us continue to produce high-quality content that you love. Every contribution counts and helps us grow our community of listeners. Thank you for being a part of our journey.
Show Link: National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
https://www.nhpco.org/
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Our nations Veteran’s have gone above and beyond to ensure the freedom of the United States and its Allies. In this episode, host Lee Bentch, illuminates the rich history of Veteran’s Day, November 11th, while introducing the work of Honor Flight. Honor Flight is an organization dedicated to flying Veterans of all branches and years of service to Washington D.C. to visit the War Memorials. In this touching tribute you’ll hear the voices of Honor Flight Vets who lived to tell their story of service and survival.
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Villains and victims, evil witches and vengeful scourges—at the movies, getting old is scary business. It also generates big businessat the box office.But what do these frightening depictions actually have to say about aging? Host Betsy Allen talks with Cynthia Miller, writer, cultural anthropologist, and college professor, about what Hollywood finds so scary about getting older and how we just might be on the verge of flipping the script.
For more information about books by Cynthia J. Miller.
Movies discussed in our conversation:
- The Brotherhood of Satan (1971)
- Bubba Ho-Tep (2002)
- Drag Me to Hell (2009)
- Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964)
- The Hunger (1983)
- Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
- Insidious: The Last Key (2018)
- Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
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It wasn't 'love at first sight' for Elaine LaLanne, when she met Jack LaLanne, the "Godfather of Fitness." In fact, Elaine was eating a donut when Jack quipped "The only thing good about a donut is the hole in the middle." Now 97, Elaine is fit, active and effervescent. Listen in for her secrets to living a longer, healthier life and how she's keeping the legacy of her husband alive.
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Professor Ellen Langer, better known as "the mother of mindfulness,” spent the better part of her 45-year career challenging widely-held assumptions about the power of our minds. Her famous "Counterclockwise" study, first conducted in 1979, showed it's possible to reverse the affects of aging in one week. In her latest book, The Mindful Body: Thinking Our Way to Chronic Health, she says our minds can make us more hopeful, speed the healing process, and even help us live longer. The key: remember your mind and body are one integrated unit. "Where you put the mind, the body will follow." Langer defines Mindfulness as being in the moment — noticing new things about yourself and the environment rather than assuming today will be the same as yesterday which, in turn, opens us to new possibilities. In this rapid-fire conversation with Melinda Blau, Langer talks about applying mindfulness to aging, grief, caretaking, and serious illness. You can find Ellen's books on Amazon and her website
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Thinking about returning to work, “working in retirement,” or launching an encore career? Ever experienced ageism in the workplace, felt pressured to leave a job before you’re ready, or overwhelmed at the thought of trying to rejoin the workforce?
The last week of September is National Employ Older Workers Week. Join Jan M. Flynn in conversation with Janine Vanderburg, founder of Changing the Narrative, a leading initiative working to increase awareness of ageism and change how people think, talk, and act about aging and ageism.
Leading Changing the Narrative, is Janine’s encore career. She's led media and social media campaigns about the value of older folks, advocated for age-friendly public policies and stronger anti-discrimination laws, launched an anti-ageist birthday card campaign, and trained over 10,000 people in research-based messaging to counter negative stereotypes of older people and advocate the adoption of age-friendly policies.
Janine has been recognized by the City of Denver, Denver Regional Council of Governments and the Colorado Center for Aging for her innovation and advocacy for older adults. Her favorite saying: “We are the leaders we are looking for.”
Links To Resources
Changing the Narrative website: https://changingthenarrativeco.org/
Anti-ageist birthday card campaign page (that also links to artist cards):
https://changingthenarrativeco.org/anti-ageist-birthday-cards/
Resources on age-friendly workplaces:
https://changingthenarrativeco.org/resources-2023/age-friendly-workplace-resources/
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You know her as Granny from Space Jam 2, Dexter from Dexter’s Laboratory and memorable characters from decades of TV and movie roles. Nearing retirement age she can still sound like a 9-year old boy. Maybe growing up in a halfway house for the emotionally disturbed and developmentally disabled had something to do with it? Join voiceover artist, comedian, and author, Candi Milo as she dishes on her career, life, and thoughts about aging with host, Nancy Franklin.
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A spiritual alignment coach, motivational speaker, and global ritual expert, Barbara Biziou believes rituals can help us connect with one another, expand our levels of success, and create meaningful visions for our lives. As she puts it, ritual is where neuroscience meets old world tradition. In this episode, Barbara reveals how to bring rituals into daily life with Crow’s Feet writer Jean Feldeisen, a psychologist and poet. Learn more about Barbara at her website: https://www.barbarabiziou.com/
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A child prodigy on the piano, music gave Patricia Ross refuge from a chaotic home. In this episode, Ross tells host Melinda Blau how resilience, curiosity, and making good choices were key to her life — achieving what Blau calls “exuberant geezerhood.” Becoming sober in her 40s was one turning point for Ross, along with learning photography from the great Ansel Adams, which led to a career in the craft. Marrying a psychologist put her on the path to becoming a psychotherapist herself and, now in her ninth decade, she writes personal essays on Medium. You can listen to Ross’s amazing dexterity on the keyboard at https://soundcloud.com/patricia-ross-131826129.
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Join host Jan M. Flynn in conversation with Lenore Guido, Bereavement Coordinator for a New Jersey hospice program, who has a private counseling practice focusing on compassionate grief care. Grief is something we often shy away from thinking about, but it’s also something we’ll all experience. Lenore, who is drawing on more than 45 years’ experience in the field to write a book on healing from loss, shares a perspective both clear-eyed and hopeful. There is, she says, life after loss — and even joy.
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Her famous husband thinks he's signing autographs when being admitted to the ER. He runs from airport security as if he's scoring a Super Bowl touchdown. Famous for bulldozing would-be tacklers, he's blindsided by brain trauma. Meanwhile, his remarkable wife not only coped, she launched a new career and became a fierce activist for other football families dealing with former players' brain injuries. Today, she's still flying high as an 81-year old flight attendant.
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What if there were a way to get your teen grandkids to put down their phones and talk to you? Join host Jan M Flynn in conversation with Elly Katz, who left a successful career as a graphic designer to found Sages & Seekers — an innovative, immersive, and award-winning program that brings older adults (Sages) together with Seekers (teens). Over eight weekly sessions, the Sages and Seekers share their stories, linking the wisdom and experience of the elders with the energy and curiosity of the youth. With the program now reaching across international boundaries, two independent studies have shown that both the Seekers and the Sages reap significant benefits — and some that might surprise you. Check out the program, including fun shots of participants, at sagesandseekers.org
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The New Florida Follies Proves That People Of All Ages Can Put on a Show. Artistic director and choreographer Cheryl Steinthal has been dancing most of her life, from Radio City Music Hall to a career in choreography and retiring to Florida where she joined the dancers of The New Florida Follies. Host Jean Feldeisen talks with Cheryl about the troupe of dancers who put on an annual Broadway calibre show, complete with tap dancing and Rockette-style big production numbers to raise money for children's charities in South Florida.
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Host Betsy Allen talks with Bobbi Carducci, Certified Caregiving Consultant, author, educator, and caregiver advocate, about caring for Rodger, her father-in-law, who suffered from Lewy Body Dementia, COPD, and schizophrenia. It was a challenging, life-altering experience for Bobbi: navigating the healthcare system, weathering her own health issues, and dealing with the stress it put on her relationship with her husband. After Rodger passed away, Bobbi became an advocate for other caregivers—and she’s got a lot of practical advice for the growing number of older adults who will either become caregivers or be cared for. Learn more about her at her website: www.bobbicarducci.com
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“I never planned on doing this in my 50s,” says humor writer Amy Sea about Breast Stories, her online publication on the Medium.com platform. It’s dedicated to all things related to breasts, from cancer to breastfeeding. On the podcast, she talks with host Warren Turner about her publication and how she uses humor to figure herself out. When you hear Amy Sea read her work, you’ll laugh knowingly about all the quirky things haunting our minds when we can’t sleep at night. Read more of Amy Sea’s work on Medium here.
Listen to the riveting story of how a passionate cyclist, at 70 years old, tackled the grueling challenge of riding his bicycle from coast-to-coast — even setting an uphill record for his age. Eric Jeppesen shares his experience with Crow’s Feet Podcaster Lee Bentch, explaining his training and motivation to make the trip, along with the ups and downs of tackling multiple mountain ranges, weather changes, illness, and forest fires.
Host Jan M Flynn talks with Sky Bergman, a filmmaker raised in an intergenerational household where she developed a lifelong fascination with the magic that can happen when elders and young people have the chance to interact. Best known for her feature-length film “Lives Well Lived”— which has won awards, garnered rave reviews, and has the rare and coveted “100% fresh” rating from Rotten Tomatoes — Sky is also a filmmaker whose work focuses on the inspiration and wisdom offered by people in their later years, and the gifts they offer younger people when the generations are brought together. She is the former chair of the Art & Design department at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, California and is currently a professor of photography and video. Learn more about the film and about Sky at her website, www.skybergmanproductions.com
In this rollicking episode, physical therapist Brittany Denis joins host
Melinda Blau, a self-confessed exercise avoider. Denis, who admits she doesn’t like
the gym either, discusses lifestyle changes she teaches her older clients in
order to stay agile as they age. Sit on the floor every day, she suggests, or put dishes
on a higher shelf where you have to stretch to reach them. Denis shares lots of other
helpful suggestions for integrating “mindful movement” into your day. Read Brittany
Denis’ writing on staying active here.
Orrin Onken is an author of mystery novels, a collection of essays, and a regular contributor to Crow’s Feet on Medium.com. He’s also a retired elder law attorney, who talks with host Jan M. Flynn about some of his more memorable cases. He offers sage and witty advice about what to watch out for when your kids or relatives want to help you manage your affairs, why leaving someone a dollar in your will is a terrible idea, and what to avoid if you want to leave all your money to your cat.
“The group most satisfied with sex are women in their 80’s,” says Katharine Esty, PhD and author of ‘Eighty-Somethings: A Practical Guide to Letting Go, Aging Well, and Finding Unexpected Happiness. Join host Jean Feldeisen as she talks with Dr. Esty about relationships, sex and aging in your eighties. Learn more about Dr. Esty at www.katharineesty.com
“Conventional wisdom is that when you get old, you get old and lonely, old and sad, old and isolated, old and depressed. Even happy elders — which as it turns out, is most elders — believe other elders are lonely, sad, isolated, and depressed. The conventional wisdom is wrong,” writes Priscilla Long in her new book Dancing With the Muse in Old Age.
In this episode, host Jan M Flynn talks to Long, a Seattle-based writer, about her book exploring both current research into aging and the lives of more than one hundred dynamic elders whose stories provide inspiring models for how to live well and craft a satisfying old age.
Learn more about Ms. Long at www.priscillalong.net
Award-winning author Melinda Blau talks with Crow’s Feet writer Warren Turner about the women she calls her “old ladies,” people who inspire her to squeeze the most out of life in her own late 70s. Meet Zelda, who played tennis until she was 99 and who still got a kick out of telling dirty jokes. Or Marge, a financial whiz at 104, who laughed as she pushed around her Rollator. Listen in as we learn what matters is not how old you are, but how you are old.
**Mary Louisa Cappelli was already in great shape, hiking five miles a day regularly. When she decided to walk the Camino at age 67, her main fear was getting lost. Mary Louisa had already achieved so much – recognition as an ethnographer, a teacher, a surfer, and a mother of five daughters. What drove her to walk the fabled Spanish holy trail, the Camino de Santiago de Compostela? Host Jean Feldeisen, a therapist and Crow’s Feet writer, talks with Mary Louisa about her solo pilgrimage and some of the lessons she gleaned from other Elder pilgrims she met along the way.
If you’d like to read more of Cappelli’s work, visit her page on Medium (https://marycappelli.medium.com/)**
When he was younger, Judah Leblang formed a special bond with his Uncle Jerry through a shared struggle—striving to be something they weren’t in an unaccommodating world. Jerry was a deaf man trying to pass as hearing. Judah was a gay youth trying to pass as straight. As he’s aged, he’s embraced writing and performing as a way to talk about his family and engage with others. Join host Betsy Allen as she talks to Judah about his fascinating past and his ongoing desire to seek connection even as he navigates the challenges of aging (including some hearing loss of his own). https://judahleblang.com/
Meet Rand Bishop. He's a singer, songwriter, author, actor, music producer, and activist. A man with many accomplishments, including a Grammy nomination for a song he co-wrote that was recorded by Toby Keith. At age 67 Rand Bishop did something remarkable. He walked 900 miles up the Pacific coast in 90 days. His intention was to listen to what people had to say. Join us for some musical fun, a great story, and a deep insight into a fascinating guest. https://medium.com/@randbishop
Twenty-two years ago, Roz Warren decided that fun was a higher priority than money. So she retired from the practice of law and became a librarian — providing rich material for the essays she began writing. She’s the author of two essay collections, “Our Bodies, Our Shelves” and “Just Another Day at Your Public Library.” She’s written for a host of publications, from the New York Times to the Funny Times, has appeared on “The Today Show” and has been published in 16 “Chicken Soup for the Soul” collections.
Join host Jan M. Flynn as she talks with Roz about how nobody cares how old you are as a writer, as long as you’ve got something worthwhile to say — and how she went from being a lawyer to being an essayist, writing coach, editor, and a proud grandmother who is having the time of her life.
**Meet Melanie Chartoff, an actor and comedian famous as the voice of Didi Pickles and Minka in “Rugrats,” and for her starring role in the ABC late night comedy show “Fridays,” alongside “Seinfeld” creator Larry David and star Michael Richards. You may also know her from roles on “The Bob Newhart Show,” “Seinfeld,” and “Allie McBeal,” among many others. Chartoff, a Crow’s Feet contributor, joins host Betsy Allen to discuss her career and the joy of marrying for the first time at 65.
Learn more about Melanie Chartoff at her website, www.melaniechartoff.com or find out about her performing and coaching services at www.charmismatizing.com. She is also on YouTube here.**
From circus performer to podcaster, Jan M. Flynn talks about aging while experiencing it all.
Host Warren Turner interviews Jan M. Flynn — who reveals how her meandering work history helps to inform her writing. From teaching middle school English, to running her husband's specialty lumber business after he died, to riding exotic animals in a circus act, she's living proof that aging provides a writer with plenty of experience to draw from.
Flynn has her own weekly podcast, "Here's A Thought — the blogcast for people who overthink" — available on any of these platforms. Please visit her website at JanMFlynn.net.
You can also find her essays and many other articles by Crow's Feet writers on Medium.com at https://medium.com/crows-feet
At 68, Lee Bentch doesn’t fit the stereotype. He’s still working, and after his day job, he cooks dinner for his five grandchildren and daughter. Lee is one of more than a million grandparents who are helping to raise their grandchildren and he’s also a Crow’s Feet writer. In this episode he tells us how he manages to plan and cook healthy meals seven days a week. Lee is interviewed by Jean Feldeisen, another Crow’s Feet writer, therapist and grandmother. Join her as she discovers how the multigeneration household enriches Lee’s life, and how the grandchildren’s presence, filled with love and caring, extended his wife’s life.
In the debut episode of Crow’s Feet, Betsy Allen interviews Nancy Peckenham, who founded Crow’s Feet in 2019. Nancy talks about her life and career as a journalist, then about how her 100-year-old mother opened her eyes to the richness of life that is possible in later years. Overcoming stereotypes and ageist attitudes, Nancy discovered the joy of working with other writers to be part of the conversation that is changing how we view aging. You’ll also hear from some of the other Crow’s Feet voices who are part of this growing community.